However, he stressed that Spain was still totally opposed to the idea of Scottish independence. “We don’t want it to happen,” he said.

“But if it happens legally and constitutionally, we would not block it. We don’t encourage the breakup of any member states, because we think the future goes in a different direction.”

Mr Dastis also said that an independent Scotland would have to apply to join the EU in the normal way and would not enjoy any short cuts to membership.

Join the queue

Ms Sturgeon had initially hoped that Scotland may be able to retain the UK’s membership of the bloc if it voted for independence before Brexit, but has since accepted that this will not be possible.

“They would have to join the line of candidates at some point and would have to start negotiations,” Mr Dastis said.

The SNP believes that Scots should be given a choice between staying part of the UK outside the EU and becoming independent, but Theresa May has said “now is not the time” for talk of another referendum.

Downing Street has yet to respond to the request, but is expected to rule out any talks until long after the UK has left the EU.

The SNP welcomed the comments by Mr Dastis, claiming they showed that Scotland’s attempts to rejoin the EU after independence would be “relatively straightforward”.

“This is a significant intervention by Spain’s foreign minister which confirms what other Spanish politicians have said previously,” said the party’s Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins.

“We can be now absolutely clear – there is no intention of a ‘Spanish veto’ over Scotland’s EU membership.

“EU countries want to be constructive with Scotland and will respect the democratic will of the Scottish people if we choose to be independent.”

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